Headlines

Incredible! Court admits oil thieves to N15,000 option of fine

Owolola Adebola

Five oil thieves have been convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment in separate judgment by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

While Justice Phoebe M. Ayuba convicted and sentenced Peter Listen, Monday Nwibe to six months imprisonment each and Okechukwu Nwosu to two years imprisonment, Justice A.T Muhammed convicted and sentenced Dahiru Danborno and Sani Haruna to two years imprisonment each.

They were all jailed for illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The five convicts were jailed after pleading “guilty” to one- count separate charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products, upon their arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

One of the charge against the convicts read: “That you Peter Listen and Monday Nwibe on or about the 18th of January, 2020 along Port Harcourt/Eket Road, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dealt in petroleum product to wit: Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) contained in 12 Jerry cans conveyed in a Volkswagen Jetta car with Registration Number RGM 787 AA and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (18) (a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007”.

Another charge read: “That you Dahiru Danborno on the 2nd day of June 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did without appropriate license deal in about Forty-Five Thousand (45,000) litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and thereby committed an Offence contrary to Section 17 (a) of Miscellaneous Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act”.

They all pleaded “guilty” to the one charge separately preferred against them by the EFCC.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel: C. Okorie, Bobby Kabiri and Endebba Abbiyesuku prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, defense counsel: Daminabo Davies Livingstone, Obinna Ofordili and David Ayuba prayed the court to temper justice with mercy stressing that they were first-time offenders.

Justice Ayuba convicted and sentenced Listen and Nwibe to six months imprisonment each with an option of fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000) and Nwosu to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N15, 000( Fifteen Thousand Naira only).

Also, Justice Muhammed convicted and sentenced Danborno and Haruna to two years imprisonment each, with the separate option of fines.

Danborno was given an option of a fine of N500, 000( Five Hundred Thousand Naira only) while Haruna was given an option of a fine of N200,000( Two Hundred Thousand Naira only).

The two Judges ordered that petroleum products arrested with the convicts be sold by the Deputy Registrar of the court, in conjunction with EFCC officials, and the proceeds paid into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government. Also, all the vehicles arrested with the convicts: Volkswagen Jetta car with Registration Number RGM 787 AA and Mercedes Truck with registration number: XL 634 UWN be returned to their owners.

The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were separately arrested by the anti- bunkering team of the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State for illegal dealing in petroleum products. They were later handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

ReplyForward

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.